The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-31
Notes from an Excursionist.

The ominous looking clouds of last Friday
morning, together with the rain that scarcely
let up in time to reach the train, kept many
who had intended to go from joining the
Presbyterian Sunday school excursion.
There is nothing especially worthy of note
IN ride from Paw Paw TO South Haven.
The new road bed seems firm, is well bal
lasted ana carries the train very steadily.
The stopping place, or end OF the track, is
well up the river, along the docking front, so
that 1t is but short walk to the grounds.
These grounds, of about seven acres, are
owned 10y the village and controlled 10y the
village board The large horticultural hall is
well arranged to accommodate excursionists
and is free for such purposes. The village
has only recently come into possession of the
property, and improvements have already
been commenced which will render the place
very attractive.
Aside from the grounds and lake front, the
attractions of the place are increased by the
erection of life saving station, which has
been built this season and is In fine working
order. Through the courtesy of Captain Ii.
A. Gross, our people were shown about the
premises and received much valuable infor-
nation regarding this humane institution,
which = supported here by the government
for the rescue of shipwrecked sailors and the
relief Of vessels. Every modern appliance
for saving life among the breakers is in pos
session OF the station, and the men stationed
here are daily drilled in the use of the appar-
atus.
We were SO fortunate as to witness the
beach drill, that occurs but once q week ex-
cept as permission is granted by the general
superintendent of this district. Nathaniel
Robbins, located at Grand Haven. Most
people have some abstract idea of the utility
of this service, but no adequate understand
ing of tits possible except from witnessing this
drill. The apparatus, consisting of lines,
ropes, pulleys q haven't given the nautical
terms and cannon, are hauled out upon
the beach on large truck by seven men,
where a spar or mast is set up in the sand at
distance from the stopping place. This
spar represents the disabled or stranded ship
needing assistance Across this spar, eight
cen or twenty feet from the ground. il fast
ened plank, representing the deck of the
vessel. Here a man is stationed to play the
only survivor Of the wreck" Between the
wreck and the rescuers is supposed to be
surf and breakers-the sand is SO deep as to
make the mimicry more complete. 1t is q
necessity now to get q line to the wreck.
The cannon was placed on the ground.
and into it was placed long, solid shot. with
a loop at the outer end, to which line was
tied. The captain trained the cannon and
fired to avoid the mast but aimed to drop
the line beside it, over the "vessel." The
+" survivor grabbed the line and pulled for
dear life for pully attached to the shore
end, through which double line was run
On this pully was ten feet of rope with in
structions in both French and English on a
piece of board, directing the survivors to
tasten the short line well up on the mast.
The survivor very evidently understood one
or both languages, for he tied the rope with
nimble fingers. The crew on shore" then
pulled one of the double lines and attached
TO the other ran large rope to the vessel,
with instructions to fasten this also to the
mast or other secure place, above the first,
and to signal when fast. The shore crew
then pulled out the "breeches buoy" do
pending from the large rope on pully, like |
a hay fork. This buoy is of rubber. fash
toned like one of orr grandmother's fried |
cakes-a fiat piece of dough with the center |
rIt out-but enlarged sufficiently 10 hold